A bill to erect new monument honoring Vietnam vets receives unanimous support

GUAM—The piece of legislation that would allow a local nonprofit organization to establish a monument in Hagatna to honor the 77 sons of Guam and all Vietnam veterans is headed to the governor’s desk for her signature after being passed by the 37th Guam Legislature during this afternoon’s regular session at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna.

Bill 170-37, introduced by Democrat Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, is an act to authorize the Independent Vietnam Veterans Association of Guam to use a portion of the Skinner Plaza to establish the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument.

The legislation, Bill 170-37, unanimously passed on Friday afternoon.

“Thank you to all my legislative colleagues in the 37th Guam Legislature for voting today to pass this bill that will not only honor but remember the Vietnam veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our island and country during this long and dark conflict,” said San Nicolas, a veteran, who’s also the chairman of the legislative Committee on Emergency Response, Border Safety, Military and Veteran Affairs, and Mayors’ Council of Guam. “It’s our time to honor and remember the sacrifices made by many Americans, including our dear people of Guam, through this memorial monument.”

The government of Guam will not be responsible for any expenses related to the construction of the authorized monument, if signed into Guam law, according to the bill.

Additionally, Bill 81-37, authored by San Nicolas was unanimously passed by the body. The bill is an act to authorize the Mayors’ Council of Guam to select the time and date for the mayors and vice mayor’s oathtaking ceremony. It is co-sponsored by Sens. Telo Taitague, Thomas Fisher, Jesse Lujan, William Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joanne Brown, Chris Barnett, Christopher Duenas, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes. (PR)

Dwyane T.D. San Nicolas